Time Warner vs. CBS: Ratings hit minimal, says network

CBS claims Time Warner’s blackout of its programming has had a minimal effect on ratings.

The network says its down only .2% in viewers and has seen no change in its adults 18-49 performance since Time Warner Cable yanked the network Aug. 2. The network compared its performance to how it was doing during the previous week.

Compared to the same week last summer, CBS’s Friday-Thursday primetime programs during the blackout are actually up 38% in viewers and 33% in both adults 18-49 and 25-54, according to Nielsen results.

Time Warner blacked out CBS stations to 3.2 million of its customers in New York, Los Angeles and Dallas. CBS says the overall financial hit to the net is negligible – for now – since August is typically a low-rated month, anyway.

Meanwhile, FCC Acting Chairwoman Mignon Clyburn said she was not happy with how the two parties have failed to reach a deal and will intervene if it gets any uglier. “I am really distressed that consumers and viewers are being adversely affected and my primary concern remains with them,” she said. “We will continue to urge both parties to stay and resolve in good faith this issue as soon as possible.”